Tapered sanitary napkin



April 9, 1963 R. L. A-rKlNsoN TAPERED SANITARY NAPKIN Filed Sept. 30. 1960 INVENTOR PAL/1w L. A rK//vso/va BY /MMJ-VJ/ ATTORNEY nite fates This invention relates to sanitary napkins and more particularly to sanitary napkins having improved design and structural features to provide a comfortable and effective absorbing medium for menstrual fluid.

Sanitary napkins have been made in a Variety of shapes and have incorporated numerous structural features in attempts to provide an article of this nature which fullls its absorbing function and which is also comfortable and non-chaing when worn. In some instances, the provision of a more effective absorbing medium has been emphasized, whereas in others a greater consideration has been given to providing a sanitary napkin which tits comfortably.

Sanitary napkins are customarily made in a size and of a shape to lit from forward ofthe labia majora to adjacent the anus. Such napkins have a relatively at, rectangular configuration which adapt-s itself to fit relatively comfortably in the perineal region of the female anatomy. However, in the region of the buttocks, it is recognized that a at rectangular configuration results in bunching and roping of the rear end of the napkin in this area. To minimize such bunching and roping, napkins have been made with rear portions of reduced size to more nearly conform them with the configuration of the anatomy at the buttocks. To obtain such a reduction in size, it has generally been required to reduce the amount of absorbent material in the end of the napkin with the result that the end lacks integrity and form stability and is easily distorted. As a consequence, the napkin may still prove to be uncomfortable to wear. The napkin of this invention obviates such difficulties.

A napkin in accordance tained by providing a core with this invention may be obportion of the napkin which. has a highly effective absorbency, and which is so constructed that it may be maintained comfortably in direct and intimate contact with the body of the wearer, so that its absorbing capacity may be effectively utilized. The napkin includes an elongated absorbent core which is generally of a relatively uniform rectangular configuration throughout a major part of its length and which then tapers to a relatively narrow end portion. The narrow portion forms the rear of the napkin when it is worn and is the portion which lits in the region of the buttocks. The core so formed is enclosed within a liquid pervious cover which extends beyond the ends of the core to form attachment tabs. A significant feature of the invention is the manner in which the cover and the absorbent core are associated in conforming relationship and particularly the manner in which the cover extends into the sides of the tapered rear portionv of the .core to impart to such rear portion form stability and integrity, thereby minimizing distortion of the rear portion While still providing good conformability, thus making the napkin more comfortable to wear.

Referring to the drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example;

FIG. l is a perspective view of a napkin incorporating the invention; 1

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan View of an enlarged scale of the napkin of FIG. l, partly broken to reveal its inner construction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the interior portion of the napkin;

FIG. 4 is a View of FIG. 2, taken along lines 4-4; and

FIG. 5 is a View of FIG. 2, taken along lines 5 5.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes an absorbent core 10 of the above-described configuration enclosed within an outer cover 12 of liquid pervious material in close and conforming relationship so that the cover is intimately associated with the core. The absorbent core portion of the napkin lis constructed to provide a comfortable fit and, in this respect, its size and shape is based upon female anatomical considerations. In general, the absorbent core portion of the napkin has a front portion y14 which is of generally uniform width and a rear portion 16 which tapers to a relatively narrow width. The front portion is relatively uniformly wide for more than one half of the over-all length of the core. This portion of the napkin is the portion which is placed directly against the vaginal opening when the napkin is worn and is the portion which menstrual iiuid first contacts. It provides the major absorbing capacity of the napkin. Its rectangular shape and relatively uniform width permits the napkin to adapt itself to the configuration of the region of the female genitalia and thereby provide a conformable and intimate fit to that'part of the body against which it is placed. The rear portion of the absorbent core, which may form about one quarter to one third of the over-all length of the core, tapers to a relatively narrow width so that it may lit comfortably between the buttocks.

The absorbent core may be made of any of the conventional materials commonly employed for this purpose, such as absorbent cotton, wood pulp fibers, paper and other natural or synthetic fibrous materials or combinations thereof. The dimensions of an absorbent core so described may be about 71/2 inches long, about 21/2 inches wide at the front portion, and tapering to a width of l inch at the rear portion. The front portion may be of relatively uniform width for approximately 51/2 inches of the length of the core, and then taper to the relatively narrow rear of the napkin for the remaining 2 inches.

The absorbent core so formed is enclosed within the liquid pervious cover 12 having ends 18, which extend beyond the ends of the absorbent core to provide tabs for attaching the napkin in position on the body of the wearer. The cover may also be of conventional liquid pervious materials, including woven fabrics, such as gauze, and non-woven fabrics. The cover is wrapped around the core in a lengthwise direction, with the longitudinal side edges of the cover overlapping on the bottom of the core so that the surface of the napkin opposite the surface on which the longitudinal edges of the cover are overlapped is placed against the body.

Due to the tapered construction of the rear portion of the absorbent core, the cover must be drawn in at this portion in order to conform the cover to the core. This may be accomplished in accordance with the present invention by forming pleats or tucks 20 in the side edges of the cover adjacent the side edges 22 of the tapering rear portion of the core. In accordance with the invention, the tucks or pleats also extend inwardly into the tapered rear portion 16 of the core, and, if such portion is made from a plurality of superposed layers of absorbent material, in between adjacent layers of the absorbent material forming the core, thereby effectively retaining the cover in conforming relationship with the core. A further advantage is attained by extending the cover inwardly into the sides of the tapered rear portion in that the cover acts as a divider or separator between the upper and lower parts 24 and 26, respectively, in the rear portion. Since the tapered construction in the rear portion of the core is intended to be yielding and to lbe conforming to lit comfortably between the buttocks when aos/gaan the napkin is worn, this feature of separability of the rear portion of the absorbent core contributes to such yieldability and conformability. Particularly when the absorbent core portion is formed of a plurality of layers of material such as wood pulp iibers, the tapering rear portion of the core, due to its relatively narrow width, tends to lose its form and integrity with the result that such end portion becomes loose, shifts and bunches and thus makes the napkin uncomfortable to wear. Thus, extending the cover in between adjacent layers of the tapering rear portion of the absorbent core imparts stability, while at the same time imparting the desired yieldability and conformability so that it will iit comfortably.

The napkin of the present invention readily lends itself to eiiicient and economical manufacturing operations, a feature not readily attainable in napkins of other forms intended to provide a comfortable fit. The napkin may be made by laying down a continuous bat formed of a plurality of superposed plies of absorbent iibrous material, and enclosing such bat within a sheet of liquid pervious material, such as tissue paper Z8, which acts as an inner wrapper to confine the absorbent material and which aids in handling during manufacture. The continuous length of absorbent iibrous material so enclosed within the tissue paper wrapper is then cut to form individual absorbent cores of the desired length. During such cutting operation, the tapered configuration in the rear portion of the core may also be formed simultaneously. The individually wrapped cores are then placed lengthwise in spaced relationship upon a continuous length of liquid pervious material which is wrapped around the cores to form the cover. The portion of the cover covering the rear tapered portion of the cores is then folded inwardly in conforming engagement with the rear portion of the core with a portion of the cover extending inwardly between adjacent layers. The cover is then cut between adjacent cores to form completed napkins with attachment tabs.

The paper tissue inner wrapper which is placed around the absorbent core acts as a form stabilizer for the front portion of the core. When the rear portion of the core is cut into a tapering contigui-ation, the tissue wrapper is also cut and it, therefore, does not completely envelop the absorbent core at the rear portion. Removal of the tissue Wrapper from the sides of the tapered terminal portion of the absorbent core, as occurs in the cutting operation, further contributes to instability and lack of integrity in the tapered rear portion. The rectangularshaped front portion of the core remains completely enclosed within the tissue wrapper and thus its shape is stabilized. By inwardly extending the cover into the tapered rear portion of the core in the manner described above, form stability and integrity are retained in a practical and eiiicient manner while still obtaining an absorbent pad having a tapered rear portion which is radily yieldable and conformable to that portion of the anatomy with which it is associated when the napkin is worn.

It is thus seen that a napkin made in accordance with the present invention may be made economically, while still providing a napkin which is effective as an absorbent medium and comfortable to wear. It is apparent that variations and modifications in the foregoing illustrative embodiment may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent core having a front portion of generally uniform width for a major part of its length, and a tapered narrow rear portion, a liquid pervious cover enclosing said core in conforming relationship, said cover extending beyond the ends of said core forming attaching tabs, the portions of said cover enclosing the sides of said tapered rear portion also extending inwardly into said rear portion of said core to impart stability to said portion.

2. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent core having la front portion of generally uniform width for a Amajor part of its length, and a tapered narrow rear portion, said rear portion being formed of a plurality of superposed absorbent layers, a liquid pervious cover enclosing said core in conforming relationship, said cover extending beyond the ends of said core forming attaching tabs, the portions of said cover enclosing the sides of said tapered rear portion also extending inwardly between adjacent superposed layers of said rear portion to impart stability to said rear portion.

3. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent core having a Vfront portion of generally uniform width for a major part of its length, and a tap-ered narrow rear portion, ,a liquid pervious cover enclosing said core in conforming relationship, said cover extending beyond the ends of said core forming attaching tabs, the portions of said ycover enclosing the sides of said tapered rear portion being formed with tucks which extend inwardly into said rear portion of said core to impart stability to said rear portion.

4. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated {absorbent core having a front portion of generally yuniform width for a major part of its length, and a tapered narrow rear portion, said rear portion being formed of a plurality of sup-erposed absorbent layers, a liquid pervious cover enclosing said core in conforming relationship, said cover extending beyond the ends Iof said core forming attaching tabs, the portions of said cover enclosing the sides of said tapered rear portion being formed with tucks which extend inwardly between adjacent superposed layers of said rear portion to impart stability to said rear portion.

5. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated `absorbent core having a tapered narrow rear portion, a liquid pervious cover enclosing said core in conforming relationship, said cover extending beyond the ends of said core forming attaching tabs, the portions of said cover enclos- -ing the sides of said tapered rear portion also extending inwardly into said rear portion of said core to impart stability to said rear portion.

6. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent core having a tapered narrow rear portion, said rear portion being formed of a plurality of superposed absorbent layers, a liquid pervious cover enclosing said core in conforming relationship, said cover extending beyond the ends of said core forming attaching tabs, the portions of said cover enclosing the sides of said tapered rear portion also extending inwardly between adjacent superposed layers of said rear portion to impart stability to said rear portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,918,065 LHommedieu Dec. 22, 1959 2,964,039 Johnson Dec. 13, 1960 2,973,760 Dudley Mar. 7, 1961 

5. A SANITARY NAPKIN COMPRISING AN ELONGATED ABSORBENT CORE HAVING A TAPERED NARROW REAR PORTION, A LIQUID PERVIOUS COVER ENCLOSING SAID CORE IN CONFORMING RELATIONSHIP, SAID COVER EXTENDING BEYOND THE ENDS OF SAID CORE FORMING ATTACHING TABS, THE PORTIONS OF SAID COVER ENCLOSING THE SIDES OF SAID TAPERED REAR PORTION ALSO EXTENDING INWARDLY INTO SAID REAR PORTION OF SAID CORE TO IMPART STABILITY TO SAID REAR PORTION. 